Wheel structure



July 23, 1946. G, A, LYQN 2,404,390

WHEEL STRUCTURE l Filed June 21, 194s 2 sheets-sheet 1- July 23, 1946. G, A LYQN 2,404,390

` WHEEL STRUCTURE Filed June 21, 1943 A2 sheets-sheet 2 /46 i 7 5 /0 i /0 i 56 J *1f f l 5ol '.l M 60 1 l/ X 1 i in!" x l f` l, I

i f' Wi J I l I Patented July 23,1946

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,404,390 I ,l l

STRUCTURE George Albert Lyon, Allenhurst, N.-J.

Application J une 21, 1943, Serial No. tl 9`1,76 04 invention relatesto a wheel structure and more particularly to an ornamental trim or wheel cover therefor.

An object of this invention is to provide a simplied form of ornamental trim for a wheel wherein the means utilizedfor retaining the trim on the lwheel may also 'be vemployed for the purpose of strengthening and ornamenting the wheel trim.

Another object of this -invention relates to the provision4v of a cover which may be made of resilient material such as' plastic and wherein provision is made for the reinforcing of the cover or wheel trim at its vpoint of retention on the wheel. i

Another object-of this invention resides in the provision of a novel structure wherein a wheel trim or wheel coverl cooperates in a uniquefmanner with the flanges ofthe tire rim so as to properly position Vthe wheel trim and yet rigidify it at its point of securement to the wheel.

In accordance with the general features of this invention'there is provided in a wheel structure, including a multi-flanged rim for carrying a tire and having'expose'd flanged surfaces adjacent the 'tire which are to be concealed, a circular wheel trimhaving an outer edge terminating radially beyond the rim and adjacent the-outer side Wall 12 Claims. (Cl. 301-f-37) of the tire carried and annular means-for retainingly holding the outer edge of the trim and provided with rearwardly extending resilient means for engaging an outer edge of the rim when the cover member is pressed axially against the rim so as to be self-retained on the wheel with the cover member extending radially inwardly .therefrom over the flanged surfaces of the rim concealed thereby. y

Another feature of the invention relates to the provision in the aforesaid structure of retaining means in the form of lingers', each including a free axially extending extremity deflectible radially into an inclined retaining position when the trim is pressed axially against the flange of the tire rim.

A further feature of the Vinvention relates to the provision of a wheel trim of the aforesaid characteristics which maybe embodied either .in an annular'ring or in a complete wheel disk and irrespective of said two applicationsfhas the same of metal or the Vlike snapped Vintoretaine'd position in an intermediate annular channel vin the cover. v

will more fully appear fromthe following detail description 'takeniin connection. with the accompanying drawings which illustrate several Iembodiments thereof land in which: l

Figure 1 isa sidevelevationfof a Wheelstructure embodying-the featurespf vthis invention.;

Figurefz is an Kenlarged fragmentary crosssectional View taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1, looking in Va direction indicated by the arrows and showing my invention as applied to a wheel disk;

Figure 3' is a fragmentary cross-sectional View corresponding to an upper right-hand portion' of Figure 2 and illustrating my novel cover in the process of beingpressedfaxially home into retaining cooperation with the outer flange of the tire Figure 4 is a sectional view somewhat similar to AFigure `3 but illustrating the position of the cover after it has been pressed home and into retaining engagement and in which engagement the fingers have been radially deflected into their retaining position; `Figure-5 is -a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to `Figure 2 showing a modified form of myl invention in which the novel aspects thereof are applied to an annular trim ring;

Figure 6 is a sectional view similar to Figure 5 illustrating la further modification 4of the invention `wherein the inner edge of the trim ring is held away from the cooperating `parts of the wheel; I

Figure 7 is a sectional View similar to Figures 5 and 6 but showing a slightly modified way of 'attaching the" retaining ri-ng to the ornamental trim as wellas' showing the trim contact-at its 'inner edge with the wheel body; and

'inner :tube therein and provided with the customary valve stem 8 extending through a lateral flange of Ia :conventional -drop center multi- 'flanged tire rim IB. Connected in the usual way at spaced intervals tothe base of the tire rim is a wheel body' Il which' has openings I2 alternat- 'ing with' the areas of vattachment of the wheel Ibody'to -th'e basel flange ofthe rim; These open- Other objects and features of this invention ings, as is-well-known/in the art, are provided to 7 the reference character I embracing :the fea-A tures of this invention. As noted hereinberore,y in the lirst form of the invention described hereex the outer edge'of the cover into the channel afforded by the turned outer edge of the ring 2| and that thereafter the two may be easily interlockedV by tightly rolling the outer edge 22 of the ring 2| against and relative to the edge 2U. Thus the turned edge 22 not only attaches the ring 2| to the cover but, in addition thereto, rigidifies the outer edge of the cover or Wheel trim. Furthermore, by reason of the fact4 that the turned edge 22extends around to the front or outer sidev of the cover it adds tothe ornamental appearance of the cover and this is particularly true when this turned edge 22 is given a lustrous finish' such as that which is obtainable by chroin, the features of the invention have 'been illustrated as being applied to awh'eel trim in theform of a complete disk, although it is to be,V

understood, as is evident from the modifications to be hereinafter described, that the invention isV form'of anannulus. V 1 1 v A The wheel cover I5 embodies two main trans-v i .verselycurved sections |6Vand I1 which are inte- YV'grally Vconnectedland are fabricated from a highly resilient material such, for example, as synthetic plastic sheet'v which is resistant tok permanent rdeformation and: yet is resilient enough to return -of its own accord yto its originalcontour upon indenture of the-same by'reasonof blows or the like..IV haveobtained excellent results in the fabrication ofA Wheeltrimrmembers from a plastic known commercially `tothe trade as ethyl ,cellulose which isa well-known form of a thermoplastic material. y

VThe' section I6 H layglce termed the wheel trim ring part of the coverA whereas the ksection I'I maybe :termed the hub cap part of the cover.

' -Each'fof-these partsis of a convex, concave curved if it is made of stainless steel or is given a lusjtrous nish adds materially t0 the ornamental `effect of the cover in that it is contrasted against ,the differently finished surfaces of the two sec- `tions I6 and l1. Y

Now my invention is particularlyr concerned Y with the means for attaching this cover to the wheel" in a detachableV manner 4as well as for rigidifying the outer peripheral edge of the cover I5. YI provide for these objectives Yby the use of an annularmetallic ring 2| which' may be manufactured economically on alargeproduction basis by the rolling ofthe same from suitable strip' stock and by the subsequent ,splittingV of the stock to provide lingers.Y This retaining ring 2|, ,as .is best shoWninFigures 3VV and 4, has an outer *turned'edge 22 which extends over and around ythe outeredge of the ring I6 so'as to securely lock the cover -toyth'e attaching ring 2|. In the application of the cover to this/ring Vthe outerV edge of the cover is initially flexed .under the Yturned edge' 22 of the' ring 2| and ythenthe turned edge22 is more tightly Vcurled-against the edge'of the Acoverso as to interlock the two .parts together. Y' I have'found that itis easy to Y equally well applicable Vito a lWheel trim inthe mium platings and also steel. f

The trim ring, in addition to the turned edge 22, includes a radially inwardly extending ange 23 bentA rearwardly into an axially extending flange 24 which has formed Yon it axially outwardly extending spaced cover retaining fingers 25. These'ngers may be of any suitablenuinber and each includes an axially extendingyfree extremity 26 which projects toward the rear side of the wheel cover or trim.

In applying the cover to the Wheel, the cover is rst pressed against the wheel into the positionA shown in Figure 3 in which the extremities 26 of the fingers are about to enter the outermost curled flange o f the Wheel rim I, that is to say the extremities 26 bear against the outermost edge of the wheel `'rim I0 and must be cammed or deected in order for them to enter the channel of the flange behind this edge of the rlm.

In Figure 4 I have illustrated the position of the'ngers after they have ,been cammed or deflected radially inwardly by reason of the pressing of the cover axially home into'r its retained posiby the use of stainless tion on the wheel. It`will be noted from this figis moreeasily removable from the tire and yet is one wherein there is sufficient resiliency in the -ngers to tightly hold the cover on the wheel in theuse of the Wheel. Y

The metal ring 2|, as VnotedV before, not only serves as a means of attachment but in addition provides a point or place for the application of a pry-off force when it is desired to eject the cover from the wheel. This prying off'of the cover may be effected by the insertionQoi the end of a pryolT tool underneath the turned edge 22 or, in other words, between the turned edge andY the tire.

.Thereafterthe application of a slight leverage,

force on the pry-off tool which might be a screw ldriver will enableA the cover to be readily sprung or ejected from the wheel.

In order tosimplify the description of the modications to now be describd'lhave used the same .reference numeralsas in the previously/described f embodiment insofar as the parts of the wheel are concerned. 'Ihereason for ,thisV is that the wheel is conventional and embraces substantially the same parts in all modifications'. v

YIn AFigure 5 ithe wheel cover or trim isn illustrated as being inthe form of a trim ring 46 and rhas attached to its-outer peripheral edge a metal *retaining ring 41 ;lo.cked` to the' trim 'ring 46- by more@ the turned edgell'. This ring f4!! when it is interlockedw-ith'thetrim ring 46 is the same as 'in ther'st Vform of the invention and henceno'iurther description f the same is needed.

It shouldbe-noted that in this form oilthe in- -venti'on as in -the flrst described vform,`the trim ring is o'f "a shape 'and' depth so as tosconceal the exposed surfaces of the side iianges `of the wheel rim l0. lIn addition, the trim .ring 48, as inthe ipreferredform, maybe apertured to permit the :lvalve stem to extend therethroughso .as to render thevalve 'stemaccessible The inner edge' of the trim ring 46 is turned and/is formed to bear against .the junction of the vtwo wheel partsvl' and I l. This arrangement is such'that -thetrim ring does'not, in any way, interfere 'with the circulation-of air through the :wheel openings vI 2 of the wheeli body l I.

VThe application 'and-removal of this/plastic ring 541i is thesame as inthe first described form of the invention.

In'Figure 6 I have illustratedra slightly Vdinerent form of trim ring 56 which is made of plastic and `is interlocked at 58 with a metal retaining ring- 51 corresponding to the ring 2| in the iirst fdescribed form of the invention.

The inner edge 60 of the trim ring 5'6 is turned -or rolled upon itself and is so constructed as to be radially inwardly of the wheel openings I2 but to circulate under this 'edge 60.

In Figure 7 the plastic Vtrim'ring 6B is interl -locked by fa slightly diiTerent 'arrangementfto the retaining ring t1.A With the exception of the type ofiinterlock the 'retaining ring -61 functions in identically the same way as theretaining ring 2| previously described. The 'interlockingror fastening ofthe ring v$1 to the trim ring- 66 iseffected by rneansfof a separate hollow bead I$58 whicnhas its Houter edge turned aroundan outer `edge ofthe ring 61 and the-edgebf the ring AE6 t0 lock the two together. The inner edge 10 of'this addi- 'tional bead or ringl is likewise turned upon itself soasto avoid the presentation of any sharp edge. The ring or'bead 68 may be given a highly 'lustrous finish `such asis Vpossible in the luse of stainless steelso that a highly `ornamental effect vmaybe provided.

' In this form of the invention the trim ring 66 is lat its inner edge curled'slightly outwardly as designated 1| 'and is formed vvto 'bear Vaxially on'the wheel body I I.

The form of the invention illustrated in Figure "8 is substantially the same as vthat of the Llirst "form 'with the exception of the configuration of `the 'fingers of the retaining ring 11. In this form A of the invention -the plastic trim ring 16'is inter- "locked with the retaining ring and iingers 11 at v'i'.he'tu'rned edge 18. The retaining fingers of the ring '11 instead of having a straight extremity are curled upon themselves so as to conform generally to the curvature of the channel in the rim in which the fingers are to` engage. The operation `of this form of the invention however is substantially the same as that of the previously described Yembodiments and henceno'further description of the same is necessary.

It will be perceived that in all forms the outer turned edge of the cover or wheel trim is slightly zspacedfrom the tire beyond the outer edge of the tire rim so that in the event the tire becomes .punctured there is still a slight clearance present to 'allow for the collapsing of the tire. Even if "'theftire should, upon"collapsingfcontactthe outer cover member for vdetachablyholding'the Vcover fturnedvedge of the trim -ring .or -wheelcover lit fwcld s'till not vresult vin anydamage vto the vcover since the cover lis of a resilient `"ch'arafcter.and ris resiliently carriedV 'on the tire -rimofthe wheel. @Also by reason ofthe fact* that the outer edge of 'the lwheel coverer dtrim comprises `a-turnededge of metal, such edge should it bear against the'tire in -the operaticnof'the tiregwill better resist 'wear -andtear lthanwould be th'ecase if it wasa -raw plastic edge. Y v

I claim as my invention: l y

1. In a `wheel structure including a multi- -flanged rim for -'carrying a tire and having exposed flange surfacesA adjacent the tire'which-fare lto be concealed, a'wheel coverr member-of convex- -concave cross-sectional -shape and Y'of a radial depth sufficient to concealsaid flangesurfaces, lsaid cover member being lrnadeof a synthetic plastic material' having the physical propertyfof lbeing self-sustaining Lan'dyet Yresiliently defiect-` able without permanent deformation', the outer edge of said member terminating radially beyond the rim and yadjacent the outer side wall of the tire, and comparatively more rigid rmeans made from material such as metallic sheet and the llike for hcldingfsaid `member on ythe wheel,said means comprising-a ring having a channeled outer edge inwhich the outeredge of the Vcover member is adapted to be disposed vand retained, and having rearwardly deflectable vresilient means for engaging anV outer edge of :the rim `-to the rear lof the member thereon.V n v 2.!In a wheel structure includin'ga multi- "flanged rim for carrying'a -tire and havingex'- -able without permanent deformation, the outer edge of said member terminating radially beyond the rim but adjacent the outer side wall ofthe tire, and comparatively more rigid means 'made from material such as metallic sheet andthe` like V.for holding said member on the wheel, saidmeans comprising a ring having a channeled outer edge in which the outer edge of the cover member is adapted to be disposed and retained and having rearwardly delectable resilient means for engag- Ving an outer edge of the rim to the rear of the cover member for detachably holding the cover member thereon, said rearwardly extending means comprising outwardly extending resilient fingers each of which has an axially extending v free portion deflectable radially inwardly asthe cover member is pressed axially home into retaining position on the wheel.

3. In a wheel structure including a ymultiflanged rim for carrying a tire and having "exposed flange surfaces adjacent the tire which'are to be concealed, a wheel cover member of convexconcave cross-sectional shape and of a radial depth suiiicient to conceal said flange surfaces, said cover member being made of a synthetic plastic material having the physical property of being self-sustaining and yet resiliently deflectable without permanent deformation, the vouter edge 0f said member terminating radially beyond the rim but adjacent the outer side wall of the tire, and comparatively more rigid means made from material such as metallic sheet and .thel'l-ike forholding said member on the wheel, said means comprising a ring having archanneled outer edg V4. In a Ywheel structure including a ymulti- E'anged rim for carrying Aa tire andY havingv exposed flange surfaces adjacent the tire which'are tobe concealed, a wheel cover member of convex- @concave cross-sectional shaperand ,of a radial depth suflicient to conceal said flange surfaces, said cover` member, being made of a synthetic plasticY material having theA physical property of being self-sustaining and yet resiliently deflectable without permanent deformation, the outer l edge of said member terminating radially beyond the rim but adjacent the outerV side wall of the l tire, and comparatively more rigid means made 3 from material such as metallic ysheet-,and the like for holding said member on the wheel, said means comprising a ring having a channeled outer edge Y5. As an article of manufacture,Y a circular l wheel trim fora wheel including a flanged tire rim including an annular section of curved crosssectional contour and of a radial depth sufficient to extend substantially from an outer edge of the Y 1 rim substantially over the exposed surfaces lof the tire rim anges and made of a plastic mate- 1 rial having the physical property of being selfsustaining and yet being resiliently deflectable without -permanent deformation, and retaining means at theouter periphery o f said section formed Yfor resilient detachable retainingengage'- ment with aV flange of the tire rim adjacent the l outer periphery of the tirefrim, said means having a circular ring portion cooperating with the j outer edge of the said trim section and with a flange of the rim.

6c As an article of manufacture, a circular j wheel trim for disposition over the exposed sur- 1 faces of the flanges of a wheel tire rim includl ing an annular section of curved cross-sectional l contour and of a radial depthsuliicient to ex- Y tend from the tire over the exposed surfaces of 1 the tire. rim flanges and Ymade of a synthetic i plastic material having the Yphysical property of 1 being self-sustaining and yet being resiliently deflectable without permanent deformation', and retainingl means at the outer periphery of said section .formedV for resilient detachable retainingr l engagement with aY flange of the tire rim adja-` cent the outer periphery of the tire rim,v said means having a circular ring portion'for embracingV the outer edge of the Ysaid trim section to rigidify said edge radially beyond the place of attachment of the section to the wheel tire Trim, saidretaining means including spaced radially outwardly' turned fingers :each having an axial free portion adaptedY to be cammed'over'an .outer edge of the rim vand into resilient gripping engagement with a surface of the rim ange in-V taining means at the Youter periphery of; said section formed for resilientjdetachable/retaining engagement with a flange ofy the tire rim 'adjacent the outer periphery of the tire rim, said means having acircular ring portionfor embracing theouter edge of the said trimgsection t0 rigidify said edge radially beyond Vthe place of attachment of the section to the whee1-tire rim, saidannular portion of the retaining Ymeans being curled axially outwardly andradially inwardly about the outer edge Vof said annular trim section to hold said edge away from the tire and torigidify said edge so that a pry-off tool may be applied tothesamewhen it is desired to detach the trim from the wheel. Y'

8. In a wheel structure including a tire rim and a central load bearing portion, there being a s circular, generally radially inwardly extending shoulder on said rim, a-cover assembly'including a circular portion disposed'radially overa portion of tlievwheel structure, said circular portion tending radially outwardly of the'radially outer peripheral edge thereof and also including a circular portion arranged for snap-0n engagement with a portion -of the wheel, said snap-ony por- .tion of the retaining member merging into a circular portion arranged to extend'over the radially outer edge Vof-said cover portion.

9. In a wheel structure including a flanged tire rim and a central load bearing portion, there being a generally-radially inwardly extending, circular shoulder on saidwheeL a coverassembly including a circular cover membenformed n yfrom sheet synthetic plastic material having the `radially outer edge thereof disposed radially outwardly of the radially outer extremity of the wheel structure.. and a retaining annulus for maintaining said -cover on the wheelV structure,

A including anannular sheet metal member hav- Ving the axially outer edge thereof curled around theradially outer edge of the cover to envelop engagement with the wheel structure.' Y y A 10. In a 4wheel structure including'a tire rim 'and a central load bearing portion, there being a circular, radially inwardly extending shoulder on-said wheel, a covera'ssembly including a Vcir-`v cular cover member formed from sheet synthetic plastic-material and having the radially outer edge thereoffterminating in thevicinityjof said Vrshoulder on the wheel, and circular,V reinforcing, retaining means for maintaining said -cover on 715V the'V oute'rs'ideof Vthe wheel structure,A saidre- 9 taining means including an axially outer portion extending radially outwardly over the radially outer edge of said plastic cover portion and also including a part bent back upon said radially extending portion and terminating in a generallyA axially inwardly extending flange, said flange terminating in a bead arranged to retainingly envelop the radially outer edge of said plastic cover member and also being arranged to retainingly engage with said shoulder on the Wheel structure to maintain the cover detachably therenover.

11. As an article of manufacture, a circular cover assembly for disposition over the outer side of a wheel structure, said cover assembly including a portion having at least a radially outer margin formed from synthetic plastic sheet material and arranged to extend radially outwardly on a wheel, and an annular reinforcing member having a radially extending annular part disposed to form a reinforcing, ornamental borderportion formed from resiliently pliable material such as'sheet synthetic plastic, said cover portion extending radially outwardly substantially over the outer side of the tire rim and an annular relatively rigid member having a part extending radially irrwardly behind the cover portion and into detachable, retaining engagement with a part of the Wheel and said annular member also having a part for enveloping the edge of the cover portion to reinforce the same and to '20 constitute an ornamental border therefor.

GEORGE ALBERT LYON. 

